Residential school survivors in Saskatchewan are reacting to the findings of a long-awaited report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Tuesday was a time of reflection for Vern Bellegarde, who comes from four generations of families that attended residential school.
When he was only six years old, Bellegarde was taken from his home and forced to attend the Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School in Lebret in 1947.
It was there that he lost his identity.
In light of the report, Bellegarde hopes that better investments are made towards First Nations education, hunting and healthy living and he wants governments and First Nations communities to unite and work towards actual change
“We’ve been Band-aided so much over the years,” Bellegarde said. “Let’s give them a little bit just to shut them up. We’ve got to do a little bit more than that, and I think the onus is on us.”
Elder Mike Pinay also attended residential school for 10 years in Lebret. He was 16 when he left. Pinay agrees that the federal government needs to take better steps in the future.
“When you talk about reconciliation, it has to work both ways –- the government plus our people, and it’s not happening that way so far,” said Pinay.
Hundreds of people gathered in Saskatoon to hear the commission’s findings. Balloons were also released in the hopes of having the truth finally on the forefront.
Based on a report by CTV Regina’s Creeson Agecoutay
